transgenic

1 of 2

adjective

trans·​gen·​ic tran(t)s-ˈje-nik 

: being or used to produce an organism or cell of one species into which one or more genes of another species have been incorporated

a transgenic mouse

transgenic crops

also : produced by or consisting of transgenic plants or animals

transgenic

2 of 2

noun

1

transgenics plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of biotechnology concerned with the production of transgenic plants, animals, and foods

2

: a transgenic plant or animal

Examples of transgenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The scientists say this is the first example of a transgenic plant making an antibody that can fight an environmental toxin. — Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 10 Mar. 2010

The bill would prohibit the importation, sale, and offer of sale of pets that are transgenic, meaning they are created by implanting a gene from one species into another. — Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Noun

Yet, in his speech the president wasn’t referring to transgenic mice. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

The result is a faster, cheaper, and more accessible way to produce transgenic plants directly on the parent plant itself. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1982, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1986, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for transgenic

• asthenic
• eugenic
• hellenic
• myasthenic
• naphthenic
• allergenic
• androgenic
• antigenic
• authigenic
• autogenic
• biogenic
• bronchogenic

Medical Definition

transgenic

1 of 2 adjective

trans·​gen·​ic ˌtran(t)s-ˈjen-ik, ˌtranz- 

: being or used to produce an organism or cell of one species into which one or more genes of other species have been incorporated

transgenic mice

transgenic corn plants

transgenic techniques

also : produced by or composed of transgenic plants or animals

transgenic foods

transgenic

2 of 2 noun

1

: a transgenic plant or animal

2

transgenics plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of biotechnology concerned with the production of transgenic plants, animals, and foods